Coastal flooding has severely disrupted the lives and livelihoods of villages on the north-western coast of Kilinochchi district, and some parts of Jaffna.

“Around 25 boats have come ashore and have been wrecked by the flood on Thursday” confirmed a fisherman from the village of Pallikuda, just south of Poonakary.

The fishermen said that their fishing nets, crucial to their livelihood were also damaged.

As many as 365 fishing families are occupying the area and for many, their income stems from the sea. The floodwaters have encroached into homes and compromised essential water stored in wells.  

Kilinochchi District Risk Management officers visited the area to survey the damage.

The flood has affected many parts of the Northern Province. More than 40 acres of agricultural land have been destroyed due to seawater intrusion in Gowtharimunai, Kilinochchi. The Kilinochchi District Disaster Management Division and the Poonakary Divisional Secretary visited the Gowtharimunai village after the flooding occurred.

Kallundai, Jaffna was also affected. Residents reported that several houses were flooded with water. As a result, around 310 families in J-35 and J-36 Grama Sevakar divisions are facing disruptions.

While extreme weather events are hitting the North-East more frequently, residents say Tamil communities are ill-prepared and neglected by Sri Lankan state agencies. The island has been reported among the countries most affected by the climate crisis in recent years.